Currently not on view
Single spout vessel in the form of a human head,
A.D. 100–500
More Context
Didactics
This small, short-spouted vessel, of generally cylindrical form, depicts a highly stylized human face. The figure's incised, grinning mouth and the coffee-bean eyes are typical of Vicús art. The poorly understood Vicús culture, known from the extreme northern portions of coastal Perú, and particularly the Piura valley, was first discovered in the early 1960s, when a local farmer came upon a shaft tomb filled both with Mochica pottery and a distinctive red-orangeware with notably less-sophisticated modeling and surface decoration. Interestingly, the distinctive Vicús style seems to post-date early Mochica in this region, and may have drawn some of its basic subject matter, such as this head-form, from Mochica precedents. The conventions of modeling, proportions, and surface treatment, however, are distinctly local.
Information
A.D. 100–500
South America, Peru, North coast
Share your feedback with us
The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.
Related Objects
Vegetable Dish with Scene of the Almshouse, Boston
Ralph Stevenson
y1929-254
Album: 58 Views of the Lake District
Payne Jennings
x1980-45 a-h
Tunic
,
Second half of 20th century
Wodaabe (Bororo)
2021-45
Lukas Cravo
,
1997
Mario Cravo Neto
1998-3
Snuff bottle with green glass stopper
,
18th century
2002-3
Man and Musician
,
18th century
Rajput Pahari School
y1947-346
